Riders bring their A game to WEF crescendo as Richi Vogel sets the tone

Richard Vogel and Michael Jackson W took on all the new competitors in town at Wellington International for the finale of the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] – Rolex week 12 – and set the tone with a win in the CSI5* $32,000 1.45m speed class.

This is the week everyone is aiming for including Richi Vogel who already has a 2026 Rolex win. Photo: Sarah Eakin

“Rolex shows are the pinnacle of the sport,” said Germany’s ‘Richi’, who commuted between Florida and Europe this winter and returns to WEF having already won the first of the annual Rolex Grand Slams in the €1,000,000 Dutch Masters CSI5* in Holland with United Touch S. “Rolex and Wellington – it is an honor that they partner up with each other,” said the world ranked number four showjumper.

Riders new to this season in Wellington appeared in the International Ring for the first notable contest of a week that continues with the WEF Challenge Cup tomorrow. Saturday Night Lights and the $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix will be the crescendo garnished with the record breaking prize money, which sees an increase from last year’s prize pot of $750,000.

Welcome to Wellington: Donald Whitaker and Royal Red Van Het Lindehof in action today at WEF. Photo: Sarah Eakin

“That’s why we are all here,” said Richi, who jumped the Guilherme Jorge-designed course, immediately after new Wellington arrivals – France’s Julien Anquetin and Beau de Laubry Z – and edged in front of them to win this afternoon. “To finalize this tour these winter months here with a Rolex week is something we all look out for – we get excited for and we really plan our horses and our string of horses towards this week,” he said.

Ben Maher – a WEF regular and crowd favorite – in action this afternoon with Dallas Vegas Batilly. Photo: Sarah Eakin

Other leading international riders, freshly arrived for the Rolex week, include Canada’s Kyle Timm, who landed third place behind Richi on 33.6 seconds – and Julien on 33.92 riding Glamour de Chance to a time of 33.95 seconds. Donald and Ben Whitaker, from the world famous English Whitaker family show jumping dynasty, are also on the roster and both compete tomorrow in the WEF Challenge Cup.

“Everyone wants to score this week and wants to be on top of their game. That’s what makes it even more exciting,” said Richi. “The classes are usually faster than any other week. Everyone is on top form. There’s not someone competing here looking to peak next week or in two weeks time. Everyone wants to peak this week so it’s a guarantee of top sport – of the best sport.”

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